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Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
21k participate in ‘CM di Yogshala' event in Jalandhar
As many as 21,000 yoga enthusiasts participated in a state-level 'CM Di Yogshala' event held at the PAP Ground in Jalandhar on Thursday. Chief minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann was expected to be present at the event, but his visit was cancelled at the eleventh hour due to unavoidable circumstances. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh was the chief guest on the occasion. 'The CM has a lot of engagements and unavoidable circumstances, which is why he couldn't be here today,' Dr Balbir said. Addressing the gathering, the health minister gave a clarion call to the people to make yoga an integral part of their daily lives. 'It was heartening to see people from all walks of life participating enthusiastically in this mega event. The 'CM di Yogshala' is serving as a stepping stone towards building a healthier and more vibrant Punjab,' he said. Accompanied by deputy commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal, commissioner of police Dhanpreet Kaur, the minister said the initiative was launched two years ago from Jalandhar under the leadership of CM Mann and presently around 3,200 yoga classes are conducted daily across the state, benefiting nearly one lakh people. He added that trained yoga instructors have been appointed to teach yoga, and he appealed to everyone to make yoga an inseparable part of their lives in order to stay healthy and fit, helping Punjab become a truly healthy state. He stressed that maintaining good health and managing stress is the need of the hour, especially as people face multiple challenges in their daily lives. The minister added that the rising stress levels are a major concern and yoga can play a significant role in combating this issue. During the event, the minister announced that the 'CM Di Yogshala' programme would soon be extended to rural areas as well.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Bhagwant Mann missing from Punjab's ‘CM di Yogshala', 21,000 others perform yoga
Jalandhar: The "CM di Yogshala" programme on Thursday drew over 21,000 participants at the PAP ground here, with the state govt claiming a new record for attendance at a single yoga event. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chief minister , slated to preside, was absent, and health minister Dr Balbir Singh led the mega gathering. State govt officials indicated that initial preparations were for 17,000 yoga mats, but public response "exceeded all expectations". Addressing the participants, minister Balbir Singh urged attendees to integrate yoga into their daily routines. He expressed pride in the widespread participation, stating that Punjab was on its way to regaining its "glory as a healthy and dynamic state". The minister highlighted that the initiative, launched two years ago from Jalandhar under CM Mann's leadership, now facilitates approximately 3,200 daily yoga classes across the state, benefiting nearly 100,000 people. He further noted the appointment of trained yoga instructors and credited AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal as the mastermind behind the "CM di Yogshala" initiative. Senior civil and police officials, alongside prominent AAP leaders, were also in attendance.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
" Around 2 lakh practice Yoga daily under 'Rangla Punjab' mission": State Health Minister Balbir Singh
Jalandhar (Punjab) [India], June 19 (ANI): Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, on Thursday, lauded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for the success of the 'CM Di Yogshala' initiative, part of the government's 'Rangla Punjab' mission. Highlighting the growing impact of the programme, the minister said nearly two lakh people across Punjab now practice Yoga daily. Speaking to ANI after attending a Yoga event in Jalandhar, Balbir Singh said, 'I congratulate the Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for 'CM Di Yogshala', an important component of 'Rangla Punjab' mission, under which around 2 lakh people practice Yoga daily. It is a great initiative to keep diseases at bay... Yoga sessions are being organised at 4581 places in Punjab.' 'The CM has a lot of engagements and unavoidable circumstances, which is why he couldn't be here today. He also has to supervise the Ludhiana West assembly by-election. That is why he sent me here,' he added. Meanwhile, the Indian Army on Thursday organised a yoga session for locals in Dahok Khalsa of Akhnoor ahead of the International Yoga on June 21. Yoga instructor Kanav, lauding the arrangements made by the Army, stated that people participated in good numbers. 'The Indian Army made very good arrangements... People learnt yoga with their whole heart and participated in good numbers,' Kanav told ANI. On International Yoga Day this year, Visakhapatnam is set to host a grand event that will also mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation. The city will be hosting an event, which will feature over 2.5 lakh people performing yoga together at a single location -- an attempt to set a new world record. It will take place along the 27-kilometre-long coastal road of Visakhapatnam, which will serve as the venue for this massive yoga session. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is also expected to join PM Modi for the yoga performance. On Tuesday, the Andhra Pradesh government conducted a high-level review meeting at the VMRDA office in Visakhapatnam to finalise preparations for the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21. The event, which is expected to attract a record turnout of five lakh people, will be held with massive arrangements in place to ensure smooth execution. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctors' shortage: Punjab govt introduces bond policy for MBBS, BDS students
Patiala: In a move aimed at addressing shortage of doctors in government health institutions, the Punjab government has introduced a new bond policy for students enrolling in MBBS and BDS courses in state-run medical and dental colleges. The policy, which will come into effect from the academic session 2025-26, mandates that students either serve in government healthcare facilities for two years after completing their degrees or pay a bond of ₹20 lakh. The policy also applies to students admitted under the 'All-India quota', but their mandatory service period will be limited to one year. 'A service bond of ₹20,00,000 shall be applicable to students admitted under both state and All India quotas. The duration of the bond is one year for All India Quota students and two years for state quota students. The service period may be extended at the discretion of the government,' according to an order from the Punjab medical education department. The government has stated that the new policy is designed to encourage MBBS graduates to join government service and help fill vacancies in rural and underserved areas, which are particularly affected by the shortage. Currently, around 1,962 posts of general medical officers (GMO) remain vacant out of 3,847 sanctioned posts. While the policy targets the issue of doctor shortages, it highlights the broader problem in the state's medical infrastructure. Punjab has only four government medical colleges, which provide approximately 40% of the MBBS seats, while six private medical colleges account for the remaining 60%. The state government had previously promised to establish 16 new government medical colleges over the course of its five-year tenure, but no new colleges have been built so far. Govt defends policy Health and medical education minister Dr Balbir Singh defended the policy, emphasising the need for more doctors, particularly in rural areas. 'Punjab needs doctors, especially in rural regions. We have been advertising for positions, but many MBBS graduates leave the government sector after just a few months. This bond policy will ensure that graduates serve for at least two years. They are studying with taxpayer money and it is their responsibility to contribute to society,' he said. Medical associations, students oppose move The policy has faced criticism from medical student associations and doctors' groups. The Medical Student Association (MSA), Punjab, strongly condemned the bond system, calling it a form of 'bonded labour' that would discourage high-ranking students from pursuing MBBS in Punjab's government colleges. Dr Mehtab Bal, a member of the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) in Patiala, said: 'The government has failed to attract MBBS doctors to the public sector. Now, they are punishing deserving students, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds. This feels like an extortion tactic.' The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) also voiced its objections. Dr Nidhi Sharma Ahluwalia, spokesperson of the PCMSA, said: 'The MBBS course already has a mandatory one-year internship. Asking students to serve two additional years in government hospitals is unfair. The government should focus on improving recruitment processes and the working environment to address the doctor shortage.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Drug fight: Punjab's plan to allow private psychiatrists to dispense buprenorphine faces legal hurdle
1 2 Chandigarh: An ambitious initiative by the Punjab govt to widen access to drug rehabilitation by allowing private psychiatrists to dispense buprenorphine has run into a legal roadblock. Health minister Dr Balbir Singh recently announced with much fanfare that private psychiatrists would be permitted to provide buprenorphine—a critical medicine used in opioid dependence treatment—to patients at their OPD clinics. The move was seen as a breakthrough to bridge the treatment gap amid a crippling shortage of psychiatrists in the public healthcare system. However, the proposal now faces a major roadblock: a 2019 stay order by the Punjab and Haryana high court on a directive issued by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) that would have enabled private OPD clinics to dispense buprenorphine. The court's interim order has resurfaced as a legal barrier, throwing a spanner in the govt's efforts to broaden access to opioid substitution therapy. With Punjab battling a severe drug crisis, particularly among the youth, the need for wider treatment access has never been more urgent. Currently, nearly 10 lakh individuals are undergoing treatment at 529 govt-run Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centres. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Espalhe a sua marca para milhares de pessoas Balinhas Personalizadas Solicite orçamento Undo To further expand coverage, the state announced plans to open 41 new OOAT clinics across 10 districts. In addition, 180 private rehabilitation centres are already functional across the state. Following the health minister's announcement, the Association of Psychiatrists "provisionally" agreed to assist in managing addiction cases at govt-affiliated de-addiction centres. In response, the Punjab health department constituted a committee of experts—including representatives from the Association of Psychiatrists, the advocate general's office, and senior health officials—to explore legal avenues. In its first meeting, the committee resolved to file an application in the high court seeking vacation of the stay order. This is not the first time legal ambiguity derailed policy progress. In Aug 2020, the Punjab cabinet amended state rules to allow private psychiatric clinics to dispense detoxification medication under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985—a longstanding demand of private practitioners. Yet by 2021, the govt rescinded this provision, citing legal opinion from the advocate general's office, though other amendments were implemented. Health principal secretary Kumar Rahul confirmed that the govt is actively evaluating all options to implement the revised dispensing policy. "A committee of experts has been formed and is examining all relevant aspects, including legal avenues," he said. The Association of Psychiatrists welcomed the department's efforts but warned that the absence of a concrete timeline and uncertain legal outcomes made it difficult to offer "unconditional" support. "A lot of time has already passed. Without clarity, it will be hard to engage the psychiatric community for long," the association stated. It further contended that the stay order does not explicitly prohibit implementation of the amended rules, and that the govt's own OOAT centres continue to dispense the same medication under similar legal uncertainty. "We are ready to assist the govt, but not at the cost of being misled into believing this is a favour—when it's a rightful provision," the body said, adding that individual psychiatrists must now weigh the risks of relying on delayed govt action. EXPERTS PUSH FOR EVIDENCE-BASED ADDICTION CARE Public health specialists, including the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), have repeatedly criticised Punjab's existing de-addiction model as outdated and ineffective. The IPS has called for treatment to be aligned with evidence-based protocols, particularly the routine use of buprenorphine, and urged that addiction care be brought under the Mental Healthcare Act for better regulation and patient outcomes.
